Which of the following is an exception to patient confidentiality?

• A. Public health reporting
• B. Mandatory reporting
• C. Consent from patient for disclosure
• D. All of the above

Answer: (D)

Confidentiality has to be balanced with situations where sharing information is legally permitted or required. Public health reporting is one such exception because informing health authorities helps detect and control outbreaks and protect the community; certain diseases or health events must be reported even without the patient’s consent. Mandatory reporting is another exception created by law to protect vulnerable people and public safety, such as when abuse or certain injuries must be reported to authorities. Consent from the patient for disclosure is also an exception because when a patient authorizes sharing their information with a specific party, disclosure is permitted.

Since all three scenarios can justify disclosure under appropriate rules or permissions, the correct understanding is that the permissible exceptions to confidentiality include these elements. In practice, disclose only the minimum information necessary and only to the permitted recipient.